Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Of course the beauty of the area, the variety of hikes, and delicious meals were well appreciated, but the most “ inspiring “ was the generosity of our guide Isabelle, who made the trip so special with her humor, stories, extra local treats during hikes, and genuine concern for the group participants.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Like I said, Isabelle was a gem!

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are a REGULAR walker/ hiker, this trip will be enjoyable, easy paced, not very physically challenging. The walks are paced for enjoyment, stopping to “ smell the lavender “, take in the views.... Good hiking shoes advised. Poles were helpful at some brief downhills, but not essential ( like they were for Corsica rated 3 hike!).

Suggestions

I highly recommend this trip. Went in September, weather great, but lavender fields already harvested.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hiking up above the village of Moustiers Sainte Marie and looking back towards the village.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide Isabelle was great. She ensured our journey flowed everyday, offered generous food and restaurant tips, extensive knowledge of each village, combined with a generosity of spirit which enabled us to immerse ourselves in the gems around every corner that Provence has to offer.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a great and diverse trip for people who like to have a base and do day trips. The diversity of the area really lends itself to centre based trips.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hiking up some of the most beautiful mountains and seeing the surrounding areas from the top. Walking down the mountain on the road that the Romans built. I was awestruck. There were so many moments during the trip that I just couldn't believe I was hiking in such a beautiful country.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Isabelle was absolutely incredible. She made the entire trip. She was friendly, personable and told such wonderful stories about the region. I loved that she joined us for dinner a few of the nights and was always pulling goodies and bits of information out of her bag. She made sure that everyone was taken care of and did research for us on transportation, sites, etc in the evening after she went home.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are making your own travel arrangements be sure to coordinate them with the group that is coming from the U.K. Otherwise you will have to take a cab, which is very expensive at about $150 euros or take a bus which can be a little confusing and inconvenient if you don't know the area. People in the local villages may speak a little French but not as much as if you were in Paris or another tourist area. As a single woman traveling alone, I felt very safe.

Suggestions

Thank you for such a memorable experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

Do to the hot weather, Yves decided that we would like the planned day 7 hike on day 1. Oh boy....it was the day of lavender. Beautiful! It took my breath away with how gorgeous the fields were. I felt on top of the world as I have always wanted to be in this beautiful scenery!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Yves was awesome! He took care of us. He gave us great tips for hiking, encouraged hydration, and he is very knowledgeable on the region. He gave us a great packet on our first day with wonderful information such as maps, an itinerary and information on restaurants in Greoux Le Bains (our home base). He also graciously booked restaurants for us for our dinner meals. All the restaurants were delicious! Remember that dinner is not included on this trip, but also you are not required to eat at the restaurants as well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Great holiday! You should go! You will love the villages Folcalquier, Moustier and of course Greoux Le Bains. They are gorgeous! But of course you will love the Verdon Gorges as well! The hikes are very nice! I enjoyed all of them. For me, the hikes were not too difficult, but there are a few scrambling bits. Yves will help you! The distance hiked is pretty accurate on the trip notes.

Suggestions

I am very glad I booked this trip. I had a lot of fun. My group was spectacular. I am honored to have met every person that was on this hike with me. : )

Most Inspirational Moment

The two best walks - along the Verdon gorge and around Moustier Sainte Marie.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jean Bernard was very knowledgeable about the local area and shared this with us. It would have been good to hear at the start of each day a bit more about the walk, the terrain and possible stops along the way or extensions to the walk.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't be put off by the walk distances which sound relatively short in the brochure - although the ascents were not particularly steep, the terrain underfoot was generally quite rocky/stony and in the lovely heat of Provence the walks took longer than you might expect.

Suggestions

I would have loved a second week, perhaps tackling some slightly longer or more challenging walks.

Most Inspirational Moment

I enjoyed the variety of the holiday with the mix of walks and a lazy swim in the pool. Although I normally go on more challenging walks, I chose this holiday knowing it was classed as a leisurely holiday.

Thoughts on Group Leader

As above. Yves looked after us well.

Most Inspirational Moment

The walk above Moustieres St Marie was spectacular. The village was extraordinarily pretty and the scenery was fantastic. We also loved Greoux les Bains as a base to return at the end of a days trip. The green gorge was beautiful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Yves was personable and definitely a good talker. Kathy in particular found this exhausting and we did not find him a good listener or willing to engage with the group or find out about our experience and expectations. On occasions we found him patronising; we always welcome advice and guidance but sometimes the level of instruction failed to recognise that we are adults capable of making decisions in our lives. We found the pace of the walks frustrating at times. On the last evening Yves advised us that the intention of the walks was to go at a strolling pace. For most of the group, who were on the whole seasoned walkers this wasn't what we had wanted and too slow (to the extent on occasions that we were tripping over each other's heels. It became clear to us that he saw himself as a walking guide rather than a trip leader. The information he gave about options was very limited; there were many cultural events happening in the village and it was by chance that we found out about these. On such a short trip it is difficult to get to know what is available quickly and we would have wanted a trip leader who could give an indication of the wide variety of possible options.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you like scenery, strolling and stopping frequently to look at flowers then this is the trip for you.

Suggestions

We didn't catch the group flight and subsequently were due to arrive just before the group. Our flight was delayed which meant both our flight and the group's landed at the same time. The joining instructions had indicated we were to meet the group and trip leader at the arrival hall, but failed to indicate that this was at terminal 2. As a result we were quite concerned when there was no one to greet us and it was only after 40 mins (when he was able to see to the others in the group) that the trip leader was able to make his way to meet us in terminal one.

Most Inspirational Moment

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Thoughts on Group Leader

An excellent leader

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking in the Verdun Gorge alongside the river

Thoughts on Group Leader

Yves was first rate.Conscious of safety ,aware of differing abilities and experience in the group.Very knowledgeable about the history,geography,flora and fauna of the area.He gave invaluable advice about all aspects of the holiday and he was fun.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take walking poles.It is hot walking and if there is an opportunity for an early start in hot weather take it.Aix was very busy and hot,local public transport is good so spending a day somewhere quieter would be an option.

Suggestions

Very nice hotel,friendly staff ,spotlessly clean.Good food everywhere.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many - so many that I took over 1,000 photos - but it would have to be walking along the spectacular Verdon Gorge near Quinson, with its plunging cliffs, turquoise water and azure sky.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I have nothing but the highest praise for our tour leader, Yves Novel, whose good humour, encyclopaedic knowledge and confident and assured leadership made the trip a pure joy. Although we were lucky enough to have glorious, sunny weather every day, storms were never far away, and Yves wisely paid close attention to "le météo" and adjusted the programme on a couple of days to ensure we got the best out of our day and weren't ever at risk of storms whilst up in the mountains. At all times he consulted the group and guided and cautioned us about how best to climb in the stony terrain with great patience.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walks weren't hard nor particularly long for fit travellers used to walking tours, but the rocky terrain did pose some challenges to knees, which can be overcome by bringing a walking pole (or two) with you.

Suggestions

It was a privilege and a pleasure to spend 8 days in the company of such like-minded travellers (there were 8 of us on the tour plus tour-leader Yves). Haute Provence is a glorious part of the world, and I thoroughly enjoyed the tour. You've certainly whetted my appetite to go on more Exodus Tours!